I don't know how I've missed reviewing my favorite hometown night spot. I've been going to MJQ for YEARS (until I left the Atlanta area in 2010). Your first time going - you'll probably look around and wonder if you're being punked. The top of the club looks like a tool shed. And yes, it's underground -- LITERALLY. I've heard rumors that the club used to be a parking garage, and I believe it, because of the 45 degree incline that you have to walk down once you enter. Ladies, leave the stilettos at home if you don't want a broken neck. Leave them at home anyway because this ain't that kinda spot. Don't wear your "good clothes" either because at the end of the night you'll smell like a bar. They don't take credit cards so bring your cash. There is an ATM outside in the lot next door, but you might get asked for change from the "valets" working the parking lot. I believe there is an ATM inside as well. My favorite night is Fridays - old school hip hop. If you want to stand on the wall and look cute with your Louboutin shoes - this is not your spot. If you want to hear the garbage on the radio that you can hear on 3 stations at the same dayum time - then this club is NOT for you. If you don't want anyone stepping on your shoes or don't want people touching you - this is not your spot. If you want to "pop some bottles" and "be seen" - this is not your spot. If you want to dance until you sweat like you've been at the sauna, if you want to have a GREAT time like you're in college again, if you want to party with different people from all walks of life...then THIS is YOUR spot. I will say - the last few times I've gone home, I feel like MJQ is succumbing to the "Atlanta Nightclub disease" and the vibe is changing (or maybe I'm getting older? I'm not sure). The crowd seems to be getting younger, and the club seems to be losing its edge and grittiness. read more

If you are into places where it is normal to sit down and whisper to your friends over cocktails while hotel music plays lightly in the background with dimly lit lights then this is not the place for you! MJQ's is where you go to party the night away. You go here when you want to have nights that resonate in the most amazing memories of your life. You can come as you are and be whomever you please. You don't have to ever pretend just to fit in because everyone fits in here. When you first walk in you will walk into a Batman like cave/tunnel and will be thinking to yourself, "What am I getting into?". When you get to the bottom of the "cave" you will see a bar and a dance floor and you will hear music pounding through the speakers. They play all types of music so you don't have to worry about hearing the tunes that you prefer. About 99% of the people will be dancing the night away so you don't have to worry about any issues other than your shoes potentially getting stepped on. I almost forgot about the bartenders!!! The drinks always taste awesome. I guess that could be because I'm already somewhat inebriated by the time I get here for the most part but I digress. They are so friendly it's as if you are talking with your life long friends and they just happen to make drinks. It is what I would call the perfect nightclub. Great music, eclectic crowd, great staff, and better drinks. Do yourself a favor and check out MJQ's. If you look up fun in the dictionary I am sure MJQ's will be a synonym. read more

What's the rule for Yelp about reminiscing about a place you went to 3 years ago and the memory is so beautiful that you want to write a review about it now. I was in Atlanta for a work trip back in 2012. I have a friend from HS who has settled there, so I reached out and he brought me to MJQ. I can't remember if it was Wednesday or Friday, but the music was pure magic. That hip hop though. Yes, it's smoky and coming from states where indoor smoking has been banned for years it was definitely a bummer, but I was having such a good time that I forgot and stopped caring for my lungs. It was the dancing, the sweating, and you look across the crowd and the diversity was awe-inspiring. Outside in the world, there's racism and sexism and homophobia and a shit ton of mean people. This was a room filled with kindness and love and energy just brilliant I cant describe it. This was the summer of Niggas in Paris and when one person got on the tiny stage to rap and he was done, he kindly passed the mic to another person who put his heart and soul into the song, too. The crowd is just wild and god, I don't remember whether I was wearing heels, but you come here to dance your heart out. No one is judging and everyone is supportive of each other. Too bad I'm getting too old for this stuff. I hope MJQ hasn't changed. read more

Probably the most reliably fun place to dance in Atlanta, with a lot of return value. They get a wide variety of DJs and music, so it can be a different vibe depending on who is playing the night that you go. But that means its not boring and not repetitive if you go multiple times. Divey and cash only, but it fits. I usually like the main room a lot more than the throwback room, but having both gives you something else to do while you're there. Main room is probably for millenials with the throwback room being for Gen X. The male restroom was really strange last time I was there - extremely stark furnishings (just four open urinals and no stalls). That definitely made me go wtf but not like I'm going here to hang out in the bathroom. read more

DJs don't read the room at all. No flexibility with their sets. Wednesdays are better than Fridays though.

EURO TRASH at its best! This underground garage is high, high energy!!! If you can keep up with this crowd, it'll be the best Weds night ever, just be prepared to be seriously hurting in the morning - you'll have to add a few more espresso shots to your coffee come Thursday morning. Seriously though, I haven't been to a better dance club in Atlanta in awhile, especially not on a Wednesday night. The DJ spins TECHNO remixes till 3am without skipping a beat! Non stop partying. $2 PBR - buy your friends a round! No Dress Code - come in sneakers and jeans. Stress free - everyone is too busy dancing. No creeps - you won't have to hide out in ladies room Sweat - lots of sweat, so forget the eyeliner. Age - 21 - 61 (oh yes, that 5'2 white haired old man on the dance floor is my old physics professor from Tech, and he tears up the dance floor every weds night - so jealous of his 40 years of experience clubbing). Gay Straight Bi - no one cares, we're all friends! So next time you want to drink on a Weds night, and your tired of trivia night and the Highlands is empty, make your way over to MJC on Ponce. It's hidden behind the Chipotle (I'm waiting for the night when I will pass out in my car after a night at MJQ to only wake up around 11 am the next day in the parking lot and grabbing a burrito to cure the hangover). and Warning: you will smell like a soggy cigarette the next morning! read more

MJQ is technically an acronym for Modern Jazz Quartet. While this club is the place to get down and dance, it does have some similarities to jazz clubs from back in the day. Not only because it's underground, but also due to the fact MJQ could be a speakeasy if it wasn't for the signs calling out "Parking for MJQ/ Drunken Unicorn". I had a blast dancing to Sloppy Seconds, along with the veritable other 20-somethings in Atlanta. All races, shapes and sizes gather at MJQ for the same purpose: to party!!! Frat boys, wanna-be-rap stars (and the girls dressed to look like their in a music video), hipsters, tatted up artists, and then me - the awkward freckled girl who can't really dance. Thank goodness this place is sans pretension. Don't worry about dressing to impress because you're gonna get sweaty. Drinks may be hard to access due to not enough bartenders on packed nights (which is the only reason I took off a star) yet they are cheap. A round of beers only cost $6. Granted it was PBR and High Life...but heck what else do you need? Word of the wise, pre-purchase tickets online prior to coming on an event Friday or Saturday. We were able to waltz through the back entrance without waiting in line. I only wish I would have been drunker...because then I wouldn't have thought everyone was judging me for my bad dancing! read more

This club takes me back to my college partying days in the 90's. It has great throwback hip-hop and cheap drinks. The ladies room desperately needs a mirror and then it will get 5 stars from me. Fun vibes. read more

I've been going to MJQ since around 2003 and though it's undergone some changes in the crowd, DJ's, and decor it remains my first choice when I'm going out in Atlanta. The music is all over the place. Don't come expecting to hear Top 40. There are a million other clubs that cater to that. On any given night you will hear a few top 40 songs but you'll also hear Funk, Soul, Dubstep, Dancehall reggae, Baltimore Club, Electro, House, Indie Rock, and just about anything else you can think of. A lot of the DJs take risks which doesn't pay off from time to time but for the most part it definitely works. and one big thing: DO NOT MAKE REQUESTS TO THE DJS. They usually will not honor them anyway. MJQ is one of the few places that really lets DJ's show off their art form and let them be creative. Don't ruin it by asking for the "Boots with the fur" song or Black Eyed Peas. There are two rooms; The main room and the Cafe. For me, the Cafe is the better room. The music's a bit more eclectic and I like the intimate atmosphere. Here's a breakdown of what goes on during the week: Wednesdays: Main Room - Varies but typically a lot of 2000-present Indie Rock. Cafe - House/Disco or Funk/hip-hop (alternates weekly) - This is usually when a lot of the dancers in Atlanta show up. The house dancers and poppers tend to dominate the cafe on the house nights and the b-boys dominate on the hip-hop/funk nights. When I say Funk, I'm referring to James Brown style, 60's era Funk and breakbeats. Not 70's "Workin at the car wash" Funk. The dancers have been a staple at MJQ since it was just a little room under the Ponce De Leon Hotel so if you're a spectator show a bit of respect...don't push anybody, don't get anybody's face, don't make fun of them, etc. As a b-boy I can tell you most of us are very respectful and just want to dance. Price - Free I think Thursdays: First Thursdays of the month the Cafe is usually open to accommodate the 21+ crowd who are at Drunken Unicorn for Fuck YESSS, a monthly electro party. Main room's usually closed. Every other Thursday, it's usually closed unless there's a special event going on. Friday: Mostly 90's Hip-hop. When I say 90's hip-hop, I mean the music is similar to what you would've heard at a hip-hop party in the 90s...classic hip-hop and deeper cuts, hip-house, Baltimore club, etc. All the Fridays I've been are packed. Hands down, the best night to go to in Atlanta if you love hip-hop. You'll occasionally see a few b-boys there. Price: 5-10 Saturday: Main room - Used to vary a good bit but lately it's turned into a Dubstep night for most of the time. I like dubstep but unless I'm at a dubstep party, i can get tired of it. It's honestly hard to predict. I think the last Saturdays of the month are when the Cobra Corps. DJs are there and you'll hear a lot of 90s/early 2000s southern hip-hop (DSGB, Pastor Troy 3-6 Mafia, So So Def), Baltimore club, with a little dubstep and New Orleans Bounce thrown in there. The Cafe - also varies a good bit, hard to say what you're going to hear in there on a Saturday. Price: 5-10 2nd Saturdays of the month are usually Sloppy Seconds where bigger acts will come through. It gets packed early and is usually 15-20 depending on what acts are there. In my opinion, Saturday has become the weakest night to go most of the time except certain Saturdays out of the month depending on your taste but it's still better than 95% of the clubs in Atlanta if you actually want to dance and not pose at a VIP table. Some final things: -Cash bar. Don't be surprised when you get there. -Parking. There is a parking lot across from MJQ that is paid. You can also park in the shopping center on the opposite side where Bookhouse Pub is but it fills up early. There's also street parking on Somerset Terrace (Liberty Tattoo is on the corner) or on Bonaventure, the next street over. You can park at Kroger but it's risky. I've known several people that have had their car towed. -Leave the sandals and open toed shoes at home. The floor gets filthy and a lot of glass gets broken throughout the night. If you get a cut, it's on you. -Be respectful. I know the bouncers here and they don't put up with BS from anybody. You try and pick a fight or get too rowdy, you will get kicked out in a hurry. -If you want Bottle Service or a VIP section or want to posture and look cool, please, please choose another venue. You're in the wrong place. A lot of what put MJQ on a slight decline in the past couple years is a clientele coming and expecting something it's not and then getting angry about it and ruining the vibe. This isn't coming from a place of pretentious "This was our spot and it needs to stay underground." I simply want the new people that come to check out it to enjoy as much as the regulars who've been coming since it opened. MJQ serves a specific niche in the Atlanta club scene and I would hate to see it become a carbon copy of all the other places out there. read more

Music..Music...MUSIC!! 4 Stars alone for the vibe here, so many dope people dancing and vibing out to old school 90s and popular tunes of today. Heard hip hop, trip-hop, some dub-step type rave shuffles in between, but all in all DOPE selection. The drinks are good too! $5 for gin and sprite w/pineapples, cash only so be prepared to have at least $20-50 on top of the $10 entrance fee. This place is hidden from the street, so I had to ask a dude what it was initially when I first walked up. This was totally what I was looking for when I moved to Atlanta. Place is a no-judgment zone and is actually pretty spacious and not as smoky as I thought it would be. The lil underground tunnel exit out towards the street makes for a great photo backdrop with your ppls after your night ends, and as an artist myself I appreciate the urban art on the walls throughout the joint. Def coming back here in a few weeks! 5 STARS** read more

I will be the first to admit that MJQ can be hit or miss. But when it hits, oh how it hits! I've been here when it's dead and awkward, I've been here when it's absolutely packed to the gills... I definitely prefer the latter. The breakdancing room in the middle is always my go-to spot, as I've come in here to escape the sweatiness of the main room of MJQ for a bit of dancing or to save my eardrums from the loud music at Drunken Unicorn on a date. And either way I've had a great time. 5 stars for the middle room, where they pump the air conditioning and always play fun, lighthearted music. Oh, and you can dance battle, if that's your kind of thing. The main room of MJQ can be awesome, boring, or scary: totally depends on the night you arrive and what you decide to make of it. But to be honest, that's part of what I love about this place. You can go in, ready to shake it, and have the absolute time of your life. Or, you can arrive a little early, be welcomed in to an empty awkward space, and decide to leave early. It's like a choose your own adventure novel, and hell, I loved those suckers. read more

This is possibly the best club in Atlanta. It's been here for a LONG time, and hasn't changed its course since its beginnings. It's literally an underground club, and I initially thought it was going to suck (it looks REAL shady from the outside), but once you get in? Man, your entire life changes. The DJs are REAL DJs; not a bunch of yuppie hipsters with a MacBook, crossfade-song feature, and shuffle turned on. They literally do spin on the one's and two's, and the music is never a failure. They deliver no matter what. And they play virtually all genres of music. I'm more into house, dub step, drum n' bass, and hip hop myself, but the DJs are usually really adept at making every track dance-able. You want to go here. But you want to go here with someone who's been here before to get a really fun experience. Either way, you're guaranteed to have the time of your life in there. read more

This is a cool spot. It is a very diverse crowd. Cost is $10 cash to get in. They do not accept credit cards for anything. Bring cash. Parking isn't good here. Also people park in the Krogers parking lot across the street and they boot people over there. So don't park at Krogers. Back to the club. Its underground for real. Your cell phone doesn't work once u get in. And basically you will not need it, because this place is off the chart partying. They don't have all them tables where people are seating around looking crazy. There are seats on the walls but that's it. Music is super loud and the DJs are jamming! 2 sides to the club playing completely different music. Drinks are served in a plastic cup! This is old school college partying going on in here. I have seen all races in this place, and everyone wear what they want. But I don't think they allow flip flops or u have pay extra or something. I suggest going one time. It feels unsafe at first but I haven't had a problem, but once u are in you notice people are there to have fun. I have been twice both on Saturday nite!!! Some won't like it, but if u wanna party and have a open mind, go for it! read more

MJQ is literally a hole. But, it's not even a hole in a wall. It's a hole in the ground. So if you're looking for a VIP section, bottle service, and all the other absurd things young folks feel they need now to have a good time, this place is not for you. On the other hand if you wan't to dance until you sweat, then sweat some more with one of the most diverse crowds I've experienced in Atlanta, then this is your place. Just be warned this place is super smoky. So smoky in fact that you will reek when you leave this dungeon and want to run to a shower. read more

After hearing so much about this place, I finally had the opportunity to go here. For starters, you can park directly across the street for $5 or you can park elsewhere, like I did, for free. I don't know the towing policy so if you get towed don't Message me. When I first walked up to the entrance, I wasn't sure if I was at the right place or not. The outside looks like a place you can bring your car for tune-ups. The cover charge to enter is only $5, a very reasonable price. This is truly an underground type of place, you literally have to walk down a cave-like entrance. There are two rooms, the main room larger than the other. In fact, you can easily walk past the other room without realizing it. The main room has its typical bar, but what set it apart to me are the seating arrangements of this place. Along the walls, corners, and nooks, are cool little bench-type chairs to sit. There are plenty of little spots to get your groove on. The price for drinks is fair, but once that place gets packed you'll only want to be drinking water. While they only take cash, they do have ATM's available. From what I've heard, the restrooms were once disturbing, but they've renovated the bathrooms. The highlight of this place is definitely the music. On this particular night, two DJ's, Jah Prince and Rasta Roots, were on the turn tables. If I could, I would have tipped these guys and give them a standing applaud. They mainly played Hip-Hop, Dancehall, and Reggae. However, it wasn't the mainstream songs that are so played out. They played cuts that instantly transported me back to my teenage and early 20's. In the smaller room, they DJ played similar music as well. I was highly amused watching people Pop-Locking...to every damn genre of music. Never have I seen anyone Pop-Lock to Reggae, I suspect if they broke out some Beethoven they would have been doing the same. Yes, they allow people to smoke. As a non-smoker, it didn't bother me because they music was THAT good. I will definitely return, especially when these DJ's are there. read more

Yes, go into the old garage looking dungeon. Why did they remove the rails above? Anywho, I always leave drunk, pooped from dancing around, and shoes unrecognizable. Fun place to go. You'll find all types of characters here. You'll find people dry humping in the corner here, nearly passed out drunk by the entrance here, disgusting bathrooms here (bring GermX)... you get the drift. There's def a new scene that has taken over MJQ... at many times... I kind of do miss the old days here. Always a good time, never a dull moment, great for people watching .. read more

Heaven for those who enjoy good ole 90s hip hop! If you get there early you can get your own spot to chill. Beware of where you sit because some of the sitting area is very sticky. It's all cement. We got there right at 11 and we lined up outside and waited but paid no cover. Our fiends came in around 11:20 and paid $10 cover. You can use their parking lot and pay $20 or find a other parking spot for a lower price around the area. It was cold and wet inside (floor) during our visit. Bc it's underground and it has rained earlier there were quite a few puddles. No major deal but do wear long sleeves or sweater ladies because it's chilly. Very relaxed atmosphere. Enjoyed the music and drinks. Cash only!!! Smoking is allowed. read more

I think clubs are pretty much all the same. What makes this club unique are the people who come to party, the prices, little random things, and THE PEOPLE. We went on a Friday which is the 90's hip hop/reggae night. It was really packed in the main room. First off finding parking wasn't that crazy and the bouncer was sweet (usually these guys are tools). $10 admission was awesome and $5 drinks is what I live for. The little things I liked about the club were the air vents in the center of the dance floor, the new toilets, and the seating area next to the dance floor. What really blew me away was how cool everyone was. We had just left the meat market that is "Twist" and to come to this environment was refreshing. The women were dressed to dance and not stuck up. I danced with a bunch of guys and they were all very respectful, these days guys can get a little handsy.This is definitely my favorite club environment. read more

The music. Come for the music. Come to dance. Come to have a good time. I met a Yelp Crew up here on a Friday Night. Matter of fact, we were welcoming our new CM Johnny. He likes to dance so I thought I'd come check him out. Plus it had been so long since I had been to MJQ's I wanted to see the place again. Friday's are old school hiphop night. Great music. This was around the time of Michael Jackson's birthday so there was good bit of his music tossed in as well. We were in the middle of the dance floor 2 stepping, popping, locking, bumping and grinding. There is another side of this place that I remember back in the day played house/reggae music. I ventured over here this night and the dj was spinning some Earth Wind and Fire. WOW! I can dig it. Okay. I hear ya! Good music for the soul. People were doing their thing throughout. Some were people watching, others were posted along the walls. Some people were dancing, others had their hands up to the music. Some people were at the bar drinking, some people were on the floor, drinking. Parking is tight in the lot and they will tow you in the Chipotle lot. There were parking attendees across the street where you can pay to park, but it is best to park on the street amongst the residences. The only downside to this place in my opinion is that it is only 1 way in and 1 way out. It is underground which is kind of cool, but not cool enough. I need another exit, emergency type...for a quick getaway. Just my nature and I think most men would agree. Maybe there is one and I just don't know about it. If so, it is not easily recognizable. The cave entrance is wide enough for a stampede of people to get out if necessary but still...maybe I should just not think like that but it is one of the first thoughts to come to mind when I think of MJQ. read more

By the gods, I wish we had a club like MJQ here in L.A. We went on a couple of Wednesdays-Ladies are free and the Gents are $5- the first time we went, it was about 11pm, and it was fairly crowded. I was designated driver, so I can't comment on the drinks, but I made my way straight to the dance floor. There I saw a couple in their 70's, dancing furiously to Electro Clash. Electro Clash! They danced for at least 4 songs, nobody made fun of them and they were given a wide berth. Mad respect Atlanteans! Besides the couple, there were all sizes, shapes, colors- nerdy white kids, huge rastafarians, rolling Asians, rolling middle aged arty types, lumberjack hipsters, hip hop dudes and Black punkettes. The following Wed., the music was better- and it was way more packed, so dance space was at a premium. However people are pretty respectful here, so no elbows or trod feet. The main room was Electro Clash/80's New Wave and the smaller hidden room is Funk and Disco. You can dance like no one is watching, and sweat your brains out. This is another Febreeze club (as I found out with all Atlanta bars and clubs), but this is especially smoky. read more

While I'm not the biggest socialite, I have indeed been to many of the clubs in Atlanta. MJQ is great and different because the crowd is as diverse and varied as the music. I like to go on Wednesday nights because the vibe is positive, and everyone seems to be having a genuinely good time. Friday nights are nice too when they play hip hop and reggae--it's just it can get pretty packed and tempers sometimes flare. Overall, it's a great time, and no pretensions. You can go in t-shirt and sneakers or the latest trends and not feel out of place either way. EDIT 6.19.2008 - Retro neon sunglasses--mini chinese dragon parade--dancing the night away....I love it here. read more

Had to go see it for myself, just to have the "Q" experience. I like being around people who just want to have a good time, without the attitude and b.s. I never have understood why some people spend a lot of money on outfits and go out to clubs and stand around and stare at other people just looking mad. I just don't get that. I have been to "nice" clubs in Atlanta and the vibe is just way wrong. You go out to dance and have a good time right? Well I can promise you everybody who comes to this "hole in the ground" come to have fun. And they looked like they were. All types of folks, more colors than a bag of Skittles. I mean where can you go where little white girls who look like they live OTP, thugs, dreads, church girls and hootchies all hang out and dance till the wee hrs of the morning???? And in GA???? A state that went for McCain....Lord have mercy. You will leave smelling like a smokestack and I should have had the munchies from all the "herbs" that were cooking in there (wink). Oh and they have the nerve to have coat check (smile). read more

Well, what can I say about the place I grew up in? I've been going there since it was further down Ponce than it is now and George Chang used to let me in when I was a little too young to be in there...ahh memories... Anyway, I continued my late teens (and now early 30's) at MJQ Concourse, hanging out with the amazing DJ's and musicians that show up there after a show (usually coming from somewhere else.) I have hung out with some very amazing celebrities there! The scene is mostly underground (and I am not cracking the joke about it literally being underground....or did I just do that?) and I only go for britpop night on Wednesdays in the big room, or Saturdays in the cafe. Or if the Drunken Unicorn has an amazing band I will go any night of the week. Stuff about MJQ- it is a compound of two bars with amazing ambiance, and one room where bands play, it is a cash only bar (don't argue with them), ask for the MJQ drink- it's tasty! And do yourself a favor and do not go to the bars until after midnight at the very earliest- you might find yourself terribly alone. Don't go there begging for hookups, its largely frowned upon, go to Buckhead for that. You will meet interesting and diverse people if you just act cool! Also, don't show up there in your frat boy clothes- it may cost you dearly at the door. In recent years it has changed from being a mostly britpop/indie rock establishment to having a more urban, hip-hop flair on many nights of the week. The best part about MJQ is if you find yourself without plans for New Year's or Halloween you can always come here and be assured a good time! I always sport my costume and make an appearance on Halloween! But it is definitely a place to go and see cool people shaking it to the most amazing music in town! And be nice to the staff- they are all cool people so don't give them a hard time or else! read more

I had a great night here until realized my wallet was stolen. The place is cash only which is why whoever stole it took my wallet. Luckily I didn't have any cash! Other than that it was a great night. The place was totally dead until other bars on the belt line closed. But great music! read more

Yoooooo! Ive been looking for a club to dance in atlanta. Finally Ive been here for 6 years and finally found one. I went saturday night one night had a decent time. Just was happy to see everyone dancing not to many wall standing. But one day i was bored wed. night and looked for somewhere to go. MJQ came up. I was like what. I got dress asap. It was like 11:45pm. So i checked it out Wed. night. And it was crazy mayne! I found me a new spot in atlanta. Thanks for YELP. I heard its nice on Friday nights also. BUT wed. will be my night. I didn't know so many people party on wed nights. This is not a place to hook up with people. Its just a place to dance and party and enjoy drinking all at once. This is the place to go. I'm a try to get there every wed. night. read more

Had a great time here on a Saturday night girls night out! I hate paying cover, but I've become use to it. Definitely agree with what everyone else has said about it being low key and not at all pretentious. It's too dark and dance-y to even tell what people are wearing or care what they're doing. In case you didn't read it in any of the other reviews - CASH ONLY! One of my friends had a problem with this, but I kind of like having a set limit on how much I might accidentally spend. The bartenders were nice and you didn't have to show them your boobs or stand on a table just to get a drink. And the drinks are pretty regular priced - $5-$6 for beers and well drinks. Much better than some other "club/lounge" type places that charge you $10 for a whiskey sour. The main room was spinning hip hop back from the 90's to now, and I loved it! I could have danced for days. The other room was spinning general hits and some oldies and one of my friends had a blast in there "real dancing" (aka not grinding). Guys here were cool and actually asked you if you wanted to dance! Such a novel idea! There was only one group of creepers that were killing the groove and trying to sneak grind on us, but everyone else was fine and respectful. Will definitely come back! Had a great time! read more

Now THIS is how you do a 'dance' club. They should have at least three locations just like this one in each major city. I'm a girl who actually goes out to 'dance'- not be cute, not see who I can see or pull, not mingle, not anything of that. I go to jiggle, shake, pop, grind, sweat, and get my lungs burning. With that said, it is great to be able to put on a pair of jeans (or yoga pants) and t-shirt, tennis, and not have to worry about a dress code when you get to the door. I also love the fact that they have rooms playing completely different genres of music all at once. This is a great way to mix up the crowd and satisfy those of us who love a wide array of music. Being underground makes it that much more 'the spot to be' for some serious dancing!!! Damn I miss this place! read more

LOVE the MJQ Concourse...the coolest people are there regularly. Girls with bright smiles, dirty shoes and no make-up who you'd love to have breakfast with. Great music and atmosphere... The fact that it's cash only kinda keeps control on insane group shot purchases. read more

The gist of the negative reviews appear to be that you cannot see people because the club is dark and that it is hot. In other words, they hate exactly what those who love MJQ like the most! What do you need to see in a dance club? Ahhhh, are you one of those women who saves her regular person paycheck for red-bottom designer heels? Mad that no one will recognize the worth of your carefully curated outfit designed to effect a certain "look"? Awww, poor baby. MJQ is NOT the usual see-and-be-seen Atlanta nightspot. No one is too cute to sweat here. Your blow out will get pushed back to your grandma's grandma's roots. No one give a hot damn what you're wearing. Holding up the wall is a sin and men aren't grabbing you, honey. It's called DANCING. Back in the 90s it was all the rage. You'll adjust if you give up a few things: the need to be seen, the desire to see so that you can judge others, and the notion that what you look like is more important than how you feel. MJQ is perfect if you like to actually move to music and not listen to it passively (how do people DO that?!). It is hot and dank. The liquor is cheap and they are generous with the pours. People smoke but if you're busy dancing as you should be you won't know if your lungs are burning from the smoke or your exertion. It's akin to an authentic dancehall where girls dutty wine with no mind on their hair or shoes. It's an authentic dance-lovers club for authentic people which, oddly, makes it all the more wonderful that it is one of the most image obsessed cities in the country. After one visit I'm a regular. If you park your high horse before you come in I think you'll soon be a regular, too. read more

When I think of MJQ, the first things that pop into my head are the Jersey Shore theme song, and neon lights. MJQ is a treat, a blast, a good time, if you will. Whenever I take friends from out-of-town, they later describe it as "that underground dance club". Always a hit, and always full of characters. Get ready to shed your pride when you go out at MJQ. Inside this concourse, there are several rooms. The bar is free-standing in the middle of the room, so there is plenty of area surrounding. In the back, you'll find the stage you might be dancing on, later. If you're actually looking at the building from the outside, there are 3 different places: The Drunken Unicorn, Friends (a-top), and MJQ. Each have their own entrance. MJQ will be the one with no thru-traffic, probably based on the amount of people loitering outside, preparing themselves for dance party mode. Wednesday night is the best night to hit up MJQ for dancing, and typically there is a cover. I would grab a drink first, and then hit the dance floor. It doesn't get extremely packed until after midnight, then, well- GOOD LUCK. This is the kind of place I would recommend going with friends. So you'll have a lot to talk about later. read more

I've never had a bad time at MJQ. The only underground club in Atlanta. It may be hard to identity because it favors an old garage (It's right next to the Chipotle on Ponce.). You will be greeted by a bouncer who will check your I.D. and ask for 10 bucks. As you enter, the floor is a bit deep steep as yo walk into this cave like atmosphere but then you see a huge open room with bars and around dancing to old school hip hop. The other room has break dancers! This is a place where people actually dance and have a good time. You don't have to wear to be seen, it's just a fun atmosphere. The bathrooms are a bit weird. How can I say this...there are no mirrors and last time I was there no hand soap, so bring your sanitizer!. read more

MJQ, I LOVE YOU. Seriously. You are my favorite underground part of Atlanta where the music is always SO GOOD. SO SO GOOD. The first time I was here, I kind of lost my mind it was so good. We don't have places like this in Minneapolis, so when I left Atlanta, I left a little piece of my heart here. Word to the ladies: no heels. You'll thank me the morning after. Also, don't wear your dry clean only stuff, there's smoking inside here. read more

This is such a cool spot! If you're into hip hop you must go on a Friday night. They play good classic old school hip hop! The DJ is awesome...there is another room with more music, They usually play reggae in there, not sure what else. I like the crowd it is very eclectic. Not your typical club crowd. No need to dress up. You can wear sneakers or timbs and be fine. The crowd is so unpretentious and so is the club. It's nothing fancy at all, trust me. Lol. This club is all about the music and not who has on the hottest dress! read more

This place is an Atlanta Institution. The Wednesday night, late-night dance parties here are the stuff of legend. Friday night and Saturday nights are also great. Just be careful not to arrive too early. The place won't get going until midnight; however, it will stay hopping until four in the morning. The main dance room usually has an eclectic mix of musical dance tunes while the back room (adjoining / adjacent to Drunken Unicorn) is more of a hip hop dance room with people participating in a dance-off ritual / competition. On Wednesday nights, in the back room dance area, you can see a 60 year old white guy who will be dancing in an odd herky-jerky 70s disco style with several young guys doing acrobatic hip hop. Rumor has it the aforementioned old guy works at or teaches at Georgia Tech. read more

MJQ is one of my favorite underground hip hop clubs in Atlanta. The music is incredible on Friday nights and what I love about this place is the djs play a little of EVERYTHING spanning across decades. It's only $10 to get in and the drinks aren't expensive either. Too bad I'm beyond the age bracket to really enjoy this place like I use to, but if you are between the ages of 24-31, then I'd say make this place your regular hangout spot. Oh and warning, watchout for the random crackheads who claim to be parking lot attendants - taking personal interest in "protecting" YOUR car and YOUR car only...for a few dollars of course:-) read more

My old friend Brent, the one who first turned me on to Cafe Diem and the orginal 11th St Vortex, also first told me about a little dance club and bar called MJQ, in the basement of the old Ponce Hotel on Ponce de Leon Ave in Midtown. This was the early '90s, when George Chang, a "very tall Chinese Swede", owned the place, and regularly appeared at some point during the evening to say hello to folks, in his quiet unassuming and very humble way, sort of making sure we were all having a good time. Brent and I went a few times back then, and what I loved most about it, besides the little "chill" area with overstuffed sofas and chairs and a TV that showed martial arts films on perpetual loops, was the music, and the little dark dance floor where anyone and everyone could move however the spirit made him/her. No judgments, no trying to impress anyone, at any time. Just cheap beer, including imports, impressive DJs who knew what we wanted to hear, and a dark and cool ambiance just right for letting loose on the floor. Later, when MJQ opened a little farther down Ponce, in an old garage beneath a parking lot, the "underground" vibe took on a whole new meaning, and it was no longer about looking for the single green lightbulb outside the Ponce's basement door, but looking for the shack above the garage, no sign, just knowing where it was, and that, in and of itself, held its own meaning. When Brent and I went out, we never paid to get in. He would nod to the man by the door and in we went, down the ramp to the bar, which was lit by red lights before they were blue, and the ceiling leaked when it rained, and the place was dark and hip and moody, and after a few $2 Bass Ales the music would amp up and we'd hit the floor. MJQ Concourse (as it was now called) still had the dance floor to beat all, a place where it truly seemed that anyone could dance with anyone, or all alone, all ages, all races, all kinds of people accepted and welcomed, and we were all one big writhing mass of flesh and sweat, the crowd separating when the baby powder hit the cement floor, and the B-boys were on their way to break and amaze us all. At some point the laws changed, and alcohol could no longer be served late, so bars closed early, and this included MJQ, unfortunately. It became a bit of a drag to wait for the right time to arrive, only to have to leave before the lights came up - no more hours and hours of dancing until knees could stand it no more. A second room opened for Brit Pop, a bar with an actual "wall of words" next to it, a place to sit and order shots of Ouzo and read the words, thinking what to add if only one could. Admittedly, I don't go out to MJQ like I used to - I think at some point I grew old and wasn't sure it held for me what it once had, but if you're of a certain age, and you want a good time at a really unpretentious dance club and bar, I really couldn't recommend it highly enough. It helps to know its history, and that Chang is now passed on, and the vibe still remains, a testament to the concept, and the whole underground nature. It's still got a lot of what it once had, just a good place to drink cheaply, to dance, and to be yourself, whatever that may be. read more

I've never seen anything like this place. I love trying to explain it to friends. "You basically walk into a toolshed, then down into a cave, then you end up in this crazy/strange not-quite-dance-club." I mainly love this place because of the amazing people-watching capabilities. Every week there's a completely different variety of people there. It's a blast. How often outside of high school dances do you get to witness dance-offs!? It's hilarious! I hate the typical "club" scene because it's usually full of skeezy people, yet this place absolutely provides an awesome time every time I go. I whole heartedly recommend it to anyone who's thinking about it, and I try to take any out of town visitors so they can experience this one of a kind place. read more

Certain nights, certain music, check the pic i posted for more info. Big. Bout 3 rooms. Cement floor underground. Didnt pay a cover, i got there early. Went on a friday night. In a parking lot if u cant find out. Parked with guy who flashes the flashlight , $5. I didnt stay long. I want to try a different night! read more

MJQ Concourse - Dance Clubs Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

A hole in the wall. I had absolutely no service and ended up leaving to go to another spot I won't go back not a place for me. Oh and it's Cash Only! read more

Mjq is a very distinct hole-in-the-wall type of bar. It's fun, eclectic (aka weird in the best way) and different every night. When you walk up it looks like a blue shed with a couple of bouncers. It use to be free before midnight but now it's supposedly free before 11:30 and $10 after. The price change mysteriously occurred when a new bouncer showed up. After you get in, you may be weirded out a little as you walk down a dark passage covered in graffiti. But then all of the sudden you're in a great bar with some of the best music. There are two rooms with separate Djs playing different genres. The bar is a cash bar but there is an ATM. Drinks are cheap between $5-$9. It usually doesn't get crowded till after 12:30. It is definitely one of my fave spots minus the new cover. read more

MJQ Concourse - Halloween 2014 at the bar in the main room - Dance Clubs Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia